Shows
The MoananNuclear Colonialism & Environmental Injustice - Vehia WheelerBetween the 1960s and 1990s, 193 nuclear explosions were conducted in Māohi Nui (French Polynesia) by France.In our latest episode with researcher & environmental justice advocate Vehia Wheeler (Māohi Nui) we explore the history of these explosions and the lasting effects our region. We also talk about the challenges of connecting our English-speaking and French-speaking islands with one another + much more. Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Fin...2025-05-1529 min
The MoananWho is 'worthy' of receiving our cultural treasures? - Lefaoali'i Dr Dion EnariWe're joined by Lefaoali'i Dr Dion Enari - an Associate Professor from Unitec Institute of Technology, matai (chief) and sogaimiti (wearer of the Samoan tatau). In this episode he shares his research insights on the experiences of diasporic communities and highlights the tensions of fa'alavelave (giving), knowledge gate keepers and weighs in on the debate of who should be 'worthy' of our culture treasures such as chief titles and tatau. He offers his unique insight as an academic and a matai. As someone in the diaspora who has the experience of living in the homeland. He also s...2025-05-0743 min
The MoananBiology for the Pacific, Health and infertility - Dr Zaramasina Clark 🇹🇴We are releasing our final Flags of the Moana tshirt drop! Listen in to see how you can win yourself a free tee 😉 tshirts will be available via themoanan.comDr Zaramasina Clark is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in Aotearoa New Zealand. She is of Tongan descent and was raised in Fiji. She speaks to her experiences growing up “halfcaste” and growing up with “multiple homes” across Moana Oceania. Her research in biology focusses on the health and wellbeing of people, in particular...2025-05-0139 min
The MoananIs self-care selfish?; Niue and Central Auckland; NZ-Pacific vs AUS-Pacific - Asetoa Sam Pilisi 🇳🇺Asetoa Sam Pilisi is a community leader and current PhD Candidate of Niuean and Samoan descent. He has done youth work and community work for many years in Auckland, New Zealand and Western Sydney, Australia - particularly with Pacific youth. He currently is completing a PhD in Public Health at the University of Auckland focussing on wellbeing, burnout, duty, service and collectivism in the local Oceanian community. He also is an active community leader in local Niue communities. Niue is one of the smaller islands of Oceania located in "West Polynesia" near Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau, Cook Islands, T...2025-04-2256 min
The MoananBanaba: "The land that died so that others could live" - Vaitoa Teaiwa Mallon & Hele Christopher-IkimotuWe'd love to hear from you - we have a talanoa episode coming up! Send us your written or voice recorded messages via email or instagram for us to discuss on an episode. Send those through before the end of March. In this episode we have Vaitoa Teaiwa Mallon (Banaba, Kiribati, Samoa, Irish) & Hele Christopher-Ikimotu (Banaba, Kiribati, Niue) who shed light on the history and current realities of the people of Banaba - an island whose story has been largely forgotten. We talk about the over exploitation of their island by foreign mining companies and ho...2025-03-1755 min
The Moanan“Too plastic,” connecting to culture away from home, Māori in Australia – Dr Innez HauaWe’d love to hear from you – we have a talanoa episode coming up! Send us your written or voice recorded messages via email or instagram for us to discuss on an episode. Please submit before the end of March 2025. Innez Haua PhD is a Māori scholar based at Macqurie University in Sydney, Australia. With hundreds of thousands of Māori living in Australia, Haua researches how her people connect to their cultures while living away from home. Australia’s indigenous peoples include hundreds of Mobs and Clans of First Nations peoples as well as Torres Strait Is...2025-03-0455 min
The MoananWestern science vs indigenous knowledge, measuring Pacific ethnic identity in psychology - Dr Sam ManuelaWe’d love to hear from you – we have a talanoa episode coming up! Send us your written or voice recorded messages via email or instagram for us to discuss on an episode. Please submit before the end of March 2025. Dr Sam Manuela (Cook Islands) is a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland in Aotearoa New Zealand who is well known in the field for his research on areas regarding Pacific ethnic identities and wellbeing. In this episode, Sam sp...2025-02-2648 min
The MoananWhat’s happening in New Caledonia? - Billy WeteweaWe’d love to hear from you! We have a talanoa episode coming up! Send us your written or voice recorded messages via email or instagram for us to discuss on an episode. Please submit before the end of March 2025. Reverend Billy Wetewea is an indigenous Kanak leader based in Kanaky New Caledonia 🇳🇨 on a mission to spread awareness about what is happening in his homelands. Kanaky has been home to indigenous Kanak for thousands of years, with some of the richest cultural and natural resources in the world. In this episode, our guest speaks to what’s...2025-02-2039 min
The MoananValidating Indigenous Knowledge & Experiences in Universities - Dr Sereana NaepiIs University still the pathway to prosperity for our communities?How are Indigenous knowledges valued within Western Universities? Bula vinaka! In this episode we are joined by Associate Professor Sereana Naepi, a Fijian researcher and lecturer in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We chat about the Indigenous experience at University's, how Indigenous knowledge is (or isn't) valued in Western education - and why this is. Plus, much more! Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love...2025-02-1345 min
The MoananExploring vā/wa, indigenous architecture and the future of Pacific ideas - Leali’ifano Prof. Albert RefitiLeali’ifano Prof. Albert Refiti is a Samoan academic whose work spans multiple disciplines. Originally trained in contemporary architecture, his recent work has been in Pacific Indigenous concepts and theories such as vā. In this episode we talanoa about his work relating to vā/wa, differences between the diasporic and communities in the islands as well as the future of Pacific thought.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all po...2025-01-291h 00
The MoananPacific in Australia: Western Sydney, Postcode Wars, Model Minority - Prof Jioji RavuloProf. Jioji Ravulo, a Fijian researcher, shares insights on supporting Pacific communities in Australia. His work covers mental health, substance use, youth engagement, and decolonial approaches to education and society, emphasizing culturally informed solutions to modern challenges.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email hello@themoanan.com2025-01-2236 min
The MoananKahiki the Hawaiian Homeland & Moana Connections today - Dr Emalani CaseWhat do our ancestral connections mean for us today? In this EP we chat with Dr Emalani Case a Kanaka Maoli academic, activist, teacher, and writer. She shares with us her interpretation of Kahiki the ancestral homeland of Kanaka Maoli and what it means to have love for home. We talk about what it means to be Indigenous today away from home and often on the land of other Indigenous Moanans. She also speaks to us about what our shared past means for our shared futures as people of Moananuākea. 2024-12-0432 min
The MoananWe're back with Season 2!We're excited to share Szn 2 with you! This a little introduction of what to expect this season. Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email hello@themoanan.com2024-12-0401 minThe MoananAncient cultural practices in the Marquesas Islands and French Polynesia - Kahu KaihaFinal episode for our Moanan Abroad series!This week we have Kahu Kaiha – a Tama Enana community leader, artist, cultural practitioner and polyglot (fluent in Eo Enana, Reo Tahiti, French and English) from the Marquesas Islands (Te Henua Enana).We cover many topics from French Polynesia to the Tapu System, Marquesean tattooing known as Patutiki, connections between the Marquesas and other nations in the Pacific and more.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love t...2024-11-2149 min
The MoananPacific Megalithic Monuments, Artefacts and Identities with Elijah Lemusuifeauali'iWhat do our megalithic monuments and artefacts tell us about our past? How might these inform our present? We're joined by Elijah Lemusuifeauali'i an academic, educator, community connector and traditional carver. In this episode he shares insight into some of the megalithic monuments & artefacts of the Moana and some of his work on Pacific identities in the diaspora. While his ancestral ties are to Samoa & Aotearoa, Elijah shares how his experiences in another part of the Moana, Fiji, has shaped his own appreciation and interaction with his own cultures. Send us a te...2024-11-0648 min
The Moanan"Being humble" & Reviving Tongan Tātatau (Tattooing) with Su'a Suluape Aisea Toetu'uWhat does it mean to wear the tattoos/markings of your culture? What, if any, are the responsibilities to these markings? Why was Tongan tattooing lost?In this episode we talanoa (talk) with Tongan tufunga tātatau (tattoo artist) Su'a Suluape Aisea Toetu'u about the history of the Tongan tātatau, its significance in pre-Chrisitan Tongan society and his efforts in reviving this art of tattooing amongst Tongans. Additionally, we give our thoughts on a recent reel that has gone viral calling for New Zealand born Samoans to "be humble". Send...2024-10-2356 min
The MoananMoanan connections - a Cook Island perspective with Mike TavioniEP06 with Mike Tavioni A master carver, multidisciplinary artist & knowledge holder, Papa Mike shares his knowledge & insight into our ancestral origins, culture, language. He offers wisdom in reminding us of that sometimes change within our cultures & languages signify that they are alive. Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email hello@themoanan.com2024-10-1738 min
The MoananPacific Diaspora and Identity: A Deep Dive with Lana LopesiEP05 with Dr Lana Lopesi.Dr Lopesi is an Assistant Professor in the department of Indigenous Race and Ethnic Studies, University of Oregon where she teaches Pacific Islander studies, Indigenous feminisms and contemporary art.Stoked to have her on the podcast to share her knowledge & experience with us 🌊Details to our upcoming events this month:AKL, NZ Live podcast with Auckland Libraries x Island Roots, Auckland WaysSaturday 5th October 1pm - 4:30pmMāngere Arts Centre, Corner Bader Drive and Orly Avenue, Māngere, Auckland2024-10-0235 min
The MoananCHamoru carving and cultureEP04 with traditional CHamoru carver Hila’an San Nicholas Representing a new wave of young Indigenous knowledge holders, Hila’an shares ancient CHamoru wisdom, Indigenous worldviews & about the ancient practice of carving. Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email hello@themoanan.com2024-09-2518 min
The MoananCHamoru carving and cultureSend us a textEP04 with traditional CHamoru carver Hila’an San Nicholas Representing a new wave of young Indigenous knowledge holders, Hila’an shares ancient CHamoru wisdom, Indigenous worldviews & about the ancient practice of carving. The Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email: hello@themoanan.com2024-09-2518 min
The MoananMaluku - the Pacific peoples you haven’t heard ofDid you know that one of the largest Pacific diasporas in the world are Melanesians in the Netherlands? These are the people of Maluku, who are known as Moluccans. But how come you haven’t heard of them? In this EP we sat down with our sisters from Maluku who share the Moluccan story. With much of the history being absent from history & general discourse, we got an insight into the Maluku’s colonial history, culture, diasporic & homeland experience.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an...2024-09-1832 min
The MoananRediscovering Wisdom: Tongan Philosophy and Cosmology with Tēvita Ka'iliWe are joined by Professor Tēvita O. Ka‘i, a prominent Tongan anthropologist and scholar whose work focuses on Indigenous Tongan knowledge, cultural anthropology, and Pacific studies. As an expert in Tongan cosmology and philosophy, Kaʻili has contributed significantly to the understanding and revitalization of traditional Tongan ways of knowing and being. He emphasizes how Indigenous knowledge systems can be applied to contemporary issues, particularly in areas like environmental stewardship, community-building, and global Indigenous movements.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all ov...2024-09-1146 min
The MoananIndigenous Hawaiian philosophy & history with Kalehua KrugAloha mai kakou! Welcome to our ‘Moanan Abroad’ season. To kick off this series we have Kalehua Krug. A kumu (school principle), kakau marker (Hawaiian tattooing), scholar and Indigenous philosopher. Originally from Moloka’i, he now resides in Wai’anae on the island of O’ahu. In this episode he shares with us Indigenous philosophies and worldviews from a Kanaka Maoli (Indigenous Hawaiian) perspective. He also shares insights into how we, as Indigenous peoples, can honour and connect to our culture while living in the West. Mahalo nui Kalehua! Send us a...2024-09-0450 min
The MoananChristianity, colonisation & indigenous spirituality (Pō Talanoa Winter)We hosted our Pō Talanoa Winter last month with our local community of Moanans. From Christians to Indigenous Spiritualists to Atheists, we had a range of different Moanans in the room discussing a topic that's important to us. Huge thank you to our guests for this episode - Te Rina (Aotearoa, Tahiti) and Christian (Viti, Samoa).IG: @themoananEmail: hello@themoanan.comPlease contact us via instagram or email! Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasp...2024-08-1449 min
Tall Poppy TalkGenezy 'Ilolahia | The Moanan co-Founder, Psychology Specialist, Facilitator "I think true humility is true confidence, in the sense of 'I know what I've got as well as I know my limitations" - Genezy 'Ilolahia. Gen is a Psychology Specialist and Co-founder of powerhouse social enterprise The Moanan. The Moanan has grown into something remarkable, and its only in the infancy stage. With a very engaging podcast, viral social media presence, and informative website, Gen and co-host Laki Tiatia are connecting indigenous pacific knowledge holders and scholars to descendants of the Moana. During his time at The University of Auckland, Gen both...2024-07-3049 min
The MoananFestPAC 2024 Recap (Bonus Episode)We are back for a special episode!Last month we were privileged to attend The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, Pacific Arts Festival, or FestPAC. Our mission was clear — to rekindle vā that our forefathers established long ago. Tune in as we talanoa about our experience of connecting with our people from all across the Moana.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streamin...2024-07-2749 min
The MoananPō Talanoa Autumn (Bonus Episode)In this special episode we share the live discussions from our Autumn Pō Talanoa event held a few weeks ago.Tune in to hear the voices of our Moanan community in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa as we talanoa about the historical, present & future vā (relationship) between tangata whenua (Māori) and tangata moana (Pacific Islanders) in Aotearoa.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast s...2024-05-1648 min
The MoananEP 10 - Q&A w Gen & Laki (The Moanan)Our final episode for SZN 1! For this episode we asked you, our community, to send in questions & topics for us to discuss. We had a range of history & contemporary topics sent in so thank you to everyone who responded! We cover topics from non-Moanans practicing & selling kava, to ever changing Moanan cultures of the diaspora, ideas of blood quantum and much more. We want to say a big thank you to everyone that’s engaged with the podcast, we’re stoked that we’ve been able to create an online community of Moanans from arou...2024-04-0452 min
The MoananEP 09 - Bradford HaamiFinal guest for season one!In this episode, Bradford Haami (Ngāti Awa), an accomplished author, researcher & lecturer covers a range of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge): Pepeha & Whakapapa (genealogy)Connections between Māori and the rest of the MoanaIndigenous spirituality and ChristianitySend us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok....2024-03-2854 min
The MoananEP 08 - Manase LuaOur guest this week is Manase Lua, a matāpule from his village of Vaini in the Kingdom of Tonga. A keen learner of Moanan history, a community & cultural leader, our talanoa with Manase took us on a journey to learn about our ancestral links across the Moana. We also talk about the lived reality of our diasporic experience as Moanans growing up in the west.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to conne...2024-03-211h 12
Island Roots, Auckland WaysEP 13 - Gen 'IlolahiaThis week’s guest is Gen ‘Ilolahia, co-founder of social media platform ‘The Moanan’. A proud Tongan, Gen has been on a journey of learning all about his roots. This journey led him to co-founding ‘The Moanan’ with friend Laki Tiatia. Together, they share knowledge about the Pacific with those living away from the Islands who similarly, yearn a connection with the culture. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2024-03-2036 min
Meditaatiot suomeksiIltasatu: Vaiana/Moana - Disneyseikkailu MerelläRentoudu kuuntelemaan iltasatua Moanasta! Ehkäpä tunnet tarinan tähden tutummin Vaianana, mutta minulle on jäänyt englanninnkielisestä versiosta päähän Moana - joten sillä nimellä mennään tämä satu!
Iltasadun kuuntelu rauhoittaa kehoa ja mieltä ja helpottaa siten unensaantia, mutta toimii tämä tarina toki myös päikkäreillä tai muuten vaan rentoutumishetkenä!
Moanan mukaansatempaava tarina kertoo seikkailunhaluisesta tytöstä, joka lähtee uhkarohkealle merimatkalle pelastaakseen kirouksesta kärsivän kansansa.
Tarinan kuunteleminen ennen nukkumaanmenoa on erinomainen tapa edistää unensaantia ja helpottaa nukahtamista. Tämä disneyklassikko tarjoaa mielikuvituksellisen ja rauhoittavan ympäristön, joka aut...2024-03-1614 min
The MoananEP 07 - Ma'ara MaevaKia orana! In this episode we sat down with archeologists & cultural educator Ma’ara Maeva - a native to Mauke, Cook Islands. In our talanoa he walked us through the journey of our earliest ancestors of the Pacific and the evidence of their migration from South East Asia into the Moana. Throughout this episode Ma’ara shares some incredible archeological facts such as the links between Polynesia and South America plus much more. Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over...2024-03-1443 min
The MoananEP 06 - Daren KamaliBula vinaka! This week we are joined by multi disciplinary artist Daren Kamali from Fiji who shares his knowledge and experience of the Ulucavu - the Fijian wig making custom. He shares the spiritual & culture knowledge that underpins this practice along with his experience reviving a practice that was lost for over a hundred years.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instag...2024-03-0741 min
The MoananEP 05 - Richard Moyle pt 2In part 2 of our chat with Professor Richard Moyle, he shares with us research he conducted on the island of Takū (PNG). In this episode he shares histories and knowledges of the indigenous spirituality that is practiced in this remote part of the Pacific. He also shares how these practices have similarities and links with Samoa and Tonga. links to Richard Moyle's work:https://archives.library.auckland.ac.nz/resources/richard_moyle_samoa_recordingshttps://youtube.com/@richardmoyle6804?si=Oo83FO9IQnw0Vcb5Send us a textThe Moanan is...2024-02-2937 min
The MoananEP 04 - Richard Moyle Pt1We sat down with Professor Richard Moyle, an ethnomusicologist, who has spent over 50 years working in the Pacific recording music to understand its social function in Pacific societies. His records have helped to preserve a knowledge of ancient song, chants & dances from around the Moana. In this episode Richard speaks to the spiritual, social & cultural function music plays across the Moana and gives some specific examples of how this is manifested. A search of ‘Richard Moyle’ in google and YouTube will direct you to archives of some of his recordings. links to Richard Moyl...2024-02-2242 min
The MoananEP 03 - Julia Mageʼau GrayIn this episode, we chat with Julia Mage’au Gray, a traditional skin marker (tattooist) & multidisciplinary artist from Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 Julia shares knowledge about the ancient practice of women’s skin marking as well as her experience as an indigenous woman living in the West 🌊.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email hello@themoanan.com2024-02-1550 min
The MoananEP 02 - Benjamin WorkIn this episode, we sat down with artist Benjamin Work. Raised in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, NZ) and of Tongan and Scottish ancestry, Benjamin shares his experiences of connecting with his Tongan heritage and shares knowledge of ancient Tonga and its neighbouring islands. His 2022 exhibition and book ‘Motutapu’ (sacred island), looked into the shared history throughout the Moana - including Tāmaki Makaurau, Tongatapu and Rarotonga, some of which he shares in this episode. Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We...2024-02-0143 minThe MoananEP02 - Benjamin WorkIn this episode, we sat down with artist Benjamin Work. Raised in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, NZ) and of Tongan and Scottish ancestry, Benjamin shares his experiences of connecting with his Tongan heritage and shares knowledge of ancient Tonga and its neighbouring islands. His 2022 exhibition and book ‘Motutapu’ (sacred island), looked into the shared history throughout the Moana - including Tāmaki Makaurau, Tongatapu and Rarotonga, some of which he shares in this episode. The Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Fi...2024-02-0101 min
The MoananEP02 - Benjamin WorkIn this episode, we sat down with artist Benjamin Work. Raised in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, NZ) and of Tongan and Scottish ancestry, Benjamin shares his experiences of connecting with his Tongan heritage and shares knowledge of ancient Tonga and its neighbouring islands. His 2022 exhibition and book ‘Motutapu’ (sacred island), looked into the shared history throughout the Moana - including Tāmaki Makaurau, Tongatapu and Rarotonga, some of which he shares in this episode. The Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Fi...2024-02-0143 min
The MoananEP02 - Benjamin WorkIn this episode, we sat down with artist Benjamin Work. Raised in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, NZ) and of Tongan and Scottish ancestry, Benjamin shares his experiences of connecting with his Tongan heritage and shares knowledge of ancient Tonga and its neighbouring islands. His 2022 exhibition and book ‘Motutapu’ (sacred island), looked into the shared history throughout the Moana - including Tāmaki Makaurau, Tongatapu and Rarotonga, some of which he shares in this episode. The Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Fi...2024-02-0143 min
The MoananEP 01 - Sonny NatanieluIn this episode, we chat with Sonny Natanielu about indigenous Pacific voyaging/navigation and experiences of being Moanan in the West.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email hello@themoanan.com2024-01-2554 min
The MoananEP 00 - Introduction to The MoananWelcome to the Moanan Podcast! Connecting Pacific Knowledge to Pacific People. This episode is a quick introduction to who we, what we’re about and what we want to do.Send us a textThe Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!Find us on all podcast streaming and social media platforms — including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Email hello@themoanan.com2024-01-2523 min